Somerset promises MCAS test integrity

The internal investigation into tampering at the Wilbur School on the state’s standardized testing may not be completed until the start of the new school year, but a report to the state detailing procedures for administering the exams will be filed by the end of June.

The internal investigation into tampering at the Wilbur School on the state’s standardized testing may not be completed until the start of the new school year, but a report to the state detailing procedures for administering the exams will be filed by the end of June.

Both Superintendent Richard Medeiros and School Committee Chairman Jamison Souza acknowledged the investigation into Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam tampering by the School Department’s legal counsel Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane is under way with a focus on personnel and procedures. Souza said that investigation began two weeks ago after the pair learned there would be little in the way of information coming from the investigation conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“To date we have not received any information,” Medeiros said.

Souza noted that with the investigation focused on School Department personnel an in-depth discussion of the review at the School Committee level is being placed on hold.

“My colleagues and I don’t want to put the district as risk for anything like a countersuit — that’s why we need to follow the letter of the law,” Souza said. “I know the community wants immediate action, but we have to follow the law.”

Learning the state wouldn’t be turning over information related to their investigation to Medeiros, Souza noted the School Committee voted at its last meeting to request that any available information to the committee instead.

While the investigation is ongoing, Medeiros said he will be submitting a plan to Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester by the end of the month that will address Chester’s request “for ensuring the integrity of MCAS administration in Somerset in future years.” Chester had set a June 30 deadline for the plan after informing the district of their findings on May 14.

Medeiros said he will alert Chester in the proposal that because the internal investigation is not complete there could be amendments coming should more about the incident be determined.

“I just think, looking at the letter from Commissioner Chester, that it talks about procedures, but it’s not clear what remedies there can be without specific allegations to point out,” Medeiros said. “The plan will promote as much integrity as possible, but I can’t speak to any specific incidents.”

Chester letter noted that while the DESE investigation had determined adults at the Wilbur School were at fault for the tampering, investigators were unable to determine who was responsible.

Medeiros added that he has not consulted with the district’s attorneys investigating the tampering to learn if anything had yet be determined that could influence any of the procedures being put into his plan.

“I have really made an effort not to interject myself into this process,” Medeiros said. “We don’t have any new information at this time. I’m not saying we won’t have new information, but I will ask that with the ongoing investigation we have more time to make changes if necessary.”